Education opportunities in the Manawatū Rangitīkei Area
Seeds for Schools programme
'Seeds for Schools' is a project that aims to involve local schools and community groups in the effort to conserve our coastal dune systems and get the threatened, native golden sand sedge - Pingao - back on our coastal dunes.
The programme teaches participants about sand dunes, why they are important and what is being done to conserve them. Students learn about plant lifecycles and can participate hands-on in each phase of plant growth, including seed sowing, potting on seedlings, growing them on until they are mature, and planting mature plants out at the beach.
Students from Kimbolton School prepare
trays to pot Pingao seedlings
The programme follows a one year cycle, as the plants take at least a year to mature. Seeds are collected in late December and early January by volunteers. Schools can opt to participate in any or all of the programme phases, which are:
- Term one - Seed sowing
- Term two/three - Beach planting (previous year's plants)
- Term four - Potting on seedlings
Schools can also opt to keep plants at the school, although year-round care must be provided (i.e. they must kept in a reasonably warm, sheltered place and be watered regularly during term time and holidays), or plants can be taken to a local nursery to grow on.
Pingao planting factsheet (PDF, 228K)
Supersites for education
A series of resources developed for various sites within the Palmerston North area, which aim to help teachers plan educational activities and learning experiences outside of the classroom.
Supersite resources are available for the following reserves:
Supersite kits containing equipment that can be used in the field, such as magnifiers, thermometers and light meters, are available for use. Bookings are required for these kits, and a small bond of $10 must be paid; this will be refunded when the kit is returned (provided it is complete).
Presentations
DOC staff may be available to visit your classroom and give a talk on one of the following topics:
- DOC Palmerston (general overview of who we are and what we do)
- Recreation opportunities
- Estuaries and wetlands
- Endangered species
- Sand dune restoration
General resources
DOC may be able to help source resources on specific topics. We have a range of posters and pamphlets available on request, and may be able to provide advice or contacts for special places or species.
A small selection of DVDs is available to borrow. Titles include:
- Meet the Locals series
- Hard Hat Harry and the Pearls of Wisdom
- Marine Reserves
- New Zealand's Coastal Creatures
- Didymo and Aquatic Pests Public Awareness and Behaviours
- World Wetlands Day Fish For Tomorrow
- Nga Kaitiaki o te Mauri (The Guardians of the Mauri)
- Manu Rongonui
- Tiritiri Matangi Island
Copies of the book 'Uncle Don Knows Heaps of Wacky Stuff' are available. We can supply each school with one copy for free; additional copies can be purchased at a cost of $5 per book.
National events
DOC Palmerston North celebrates three key national events each year. Educational resources may be available on request for the following national events:
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